Russia’s Gas Exports to Europe Hit Lowest Level in Half a Century
According to the Economic Desk of Webangah News Agency, the sharp drop in gas exports to Europe underscores the end of a once-lucrative energy partnership between Russia and the EU. The closure of Ukraine’s transit route in early 2025 left the TurkStream pipeline as the sole remaining corridor for Russian gas to Europe, serving a limited group of buyers primarily in southeastern Europe. The EU continues to advance its plan to completely phase out Russian fossil fuel imports by 2027.
Brief spikes in gas flow through TurkStream earlier this year, including a May increase that briefly exceeded 2024 levels, offered temporary stability. However, with Ukraine’s transit route shut and no viable alternatives to the west, Russia’s overall pipeline gas exports to Europe have steadily declined throughout the year.
In response, Russia has accelerated its pivot eastward. Pipeline deliveries to China are projected to rise by approximately 25% this year, with Gazprom expected to supply nearly 39 billion cubic meters via the Power of Siberia pipeline—exceeding its nominal capacity. LNG exports to China have also surged, reaching a monthly record in November. However, the Asian market presents challenges, including tougher pricing, costly infrastructure, and long-term uncertainties surrounding projects like Power of Siberia 2.
As reported, the collapse of Russian pipeline gas flows confirms that the energy decoupling between Europe and Russia is both real and largely irreversible. Once accounting for nearly half of the EU’s gas supply, Russian imports now represent a shrinking share of the market. While this transition has been costly and politically fraught, the strategic path forward is now clear.
